Chevrolet Trailblazer, representative photo
Representative model. Photo: Spanish Coches, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0

Recalls & complaints · NHTSA data

2003 Chevrolet Trailblazer recalls

Every recall campaign and owner complaint NHTSA has on file for the 2003 model year. Not every vehicle is affected by every campaign: check a specific car by VIN below.

Recall campaigns
9
Park-it warnings
0
Complaints
1,266
Latest campaign
Oct 27, 2005

Recall summary by component9

NHTSA Recalls API · cached ≤24 h
ComponentCampaignsLatestCampaign IDs
Exterior lighting2May 5, 2005
05V19800004V527000
Air bags2Feb 14, 2003
03V05100002V222000
Latches/locks/linkages1Oct 27, 2005
05V494000
Visibility1Feb 4, 2004
04V046000
Equipment1Jul 15, 2003
03V250000
Service brakes, hydraulic1Apr 23, 2003
03V151000
Power train1Mar 6, 2003
03V075000

Safety recalls9

NHTSA Recalls API · cached ≤24 h
0Park-it warnings
0Fixable over the air
Oct 27, 2005Latest campaign
Oct 27, 200505V494000

Latches/locks/linkages: doors latch

IF THE DOOR IS NOT LATCHED PROPERLY AND IT GOES UNNOTICED, IT MAY OPEN WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION.

DetailsHide details for campaign 05V494000
What's wrong
CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES HAVE A REAR SIDE CLOSURE LATCH THAT MAY NOT LATCH OR UNLATCH DUE TO CORROSION CAUSED BY ROAD SPLASH, SUCH AS WATER AND ROAD SALT. THESE VEHICLES WERE ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE FOLLOWING STATES: CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, WEST VIRGINIA, WISCONSIN, AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.
Risk
IF THE DOOR IS NOT LATCHED PROPERLY AND IT GOES UNNOTICED, IT MAY OPEN WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION. IF AN UNBELTED OCCUPANT FELL OUT OF THE VEHICLE, PERSONAL INJURIES COULD OCCUR.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL INSTALL A SEAL ALONG THE LOWER PART OF THE ROCKER PANEL TO PREVENT INTRUSION OF CORROSIVE MATERIAL, AND INSPECT THE REAR SIDE CLOSURE LATCHES. FUNCTIONAL LATCHES WILL BE CLEANED AND LUBRICATED. NON-FUNCTIONING LATCHES WILL BE REPLACED. THE RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 24, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, GMC AT 1-866-996-9463, OR ISUZU AT 1-800-255-6727.
Filed under
Trailblazer Ext
Campaign
NHTSA 05V494000 · Oct 27, 2005
May 5, 200505V198000

Exterior lighting: turn signal

THE DRIVER MAY NOT BE ABLE TO CLEARLY SIGNAL THEIR INTENTIONS TO TURN, CHANGE TRAVEL LANES, OR POTENTIALLY WARN OTHERS OF AN IMPAIRED VEHICLE OPERATING CONDITION…

DetailsHide details for campaign 05V198000
What's wrong
ON CERTAIN TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE DRIVER WISHING TO SIGNAL A TURN BY MOVING THE DIRECTIONAL SIGNAL LEVER, (UP OR DOWN) MAY CAUSE THE FRONT MARKER/TURN LIGHTS AND REAR TURN LIGHTS TO FLASH IN A MANNER SIMILAR TO HAZARD WARNING, RATHER THAN FLASHING ON THE DESIRED SIDE ONLY.
Risk
THE DRIVER MAY NOT BE ABLE TO CLEARLY SIGNAL THEIR INTENTIONS TO TURN, CHANGE TRAVEL LANES, OR POTENTIALLY WARN OTHERS OF AN IMPAIRED VEHICLE OPERATING CONDITION INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SUSPECT FLASHER MODULES WITH A NEW FLASHER MODULE DESIGNED WITH SEALED RELAYS AND MORE DURABLE CONTACT MATERIAL INSIDE OF THE RELAYS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 4, 2005. ISUZU BEGAN MAILING OWNER LETTERS ON AUGUST 4, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, GMC AT 1-866-996-9463, ISUZU AT 1-800-255-6727, BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080, AND OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-630-6537.
Filed under
Trailblazer
Campaign
NHTSA 05V198000 · May 5, 2005
Nov 1, 200404V527000

Exterior lighting: brake lights

AN INOPERATIVE BRAKE LAMP WILL NOT CONVEY THE DRIVER'S INTENTION OF STOPPING TO DRIVERS IN FOLLOWING VEHICLES, AND AN INOPERATIVE REAR TURN SIGNAL LAMP WILL NOT CONVEY…

DetailsHide details for campaign 04V527000
What's wrong
ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, VIBRATION AND HEAT MAY CAUSE THE TAIL LAMP/STOP LAMP BULB TO LOOSEN IN ITS SOCKET. IF THIS OCCURS, THE BULB MAY FLICKER AND EVENTUALLY BECOME INOPERATIVE.
Risk
AN INOPERATIVE BRAKE LAMP WILL NOT CONVEY THE DRIVER'S INTENTION OF STOPPING TO DRIVERS IN FOLLOWING VEHICLES, AND AN INOPERATIVE REAR TURN SIGNAL LAMP WILL NOT CONVEY THE DRIVER'S INTENTION TO TURN TO DRIVERS IN FOLLOWING VEHICLES. BOTH OF THESE FAILURES CAN INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE TAIL LAMP/STOP LAMP ASSEMBLIES, AND IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THEM. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 22, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-630-6537, BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080, OR GMC AT 1-866-996-9463.
Filed under
Trailblazer, Trailblazer Ext
Campaign
NHTSA 04V527000 · Nov 1, 2004
Feb 4, 200404V046000

Visibility: windshield wiper/washer

DEPENDING ON THE OCCURRENCE AND WEATHER SITUATION, DRIVER VISIBILITY COULD BE REDUCED, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.

DetailsHide details for campaign 04V046000
What's wrong
CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES HAVE WINDSHIELD WIPER SYSTEMS THAT WILL NOT TURN ON, CEASE OPERATION WHILE IN USE, FAIL TO TURN OFF/ON BY THEMSELVES (MOISTURE SENSITIVE WIPER SYSTEM), OR HAVE CONTINUOUS WINDSHIELD WASHER PUMP OPERATION BECAUSE THE PRESENCE OF WATER WITHIN THE WIPER MODULES CAN EITHER CAUSE A SHORT CIRCUIT OR CAN LEAD TO THE CORROSION OF COMPONENTS WITHIN THE MODULE.
Risk
DEPENDING ON THE OCCURRENCE AND WEATHER SITUATION, DRIVER VISIBILITY COULD BE REDUCED, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL COVER THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MODULE VENT HOLE WITH A PATCH. ALSO, THE WIPER MOTOR, CIRCUIT BOARD, AND ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR WILL BE INSPECTED TO SIGNS OF WATER INTRUSION AND/OR CORROSION AND BE REPLACED AS REQUIRED. THE RECALL BEGAN JULY 6, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438; OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-630-6537; OR GMC AT 1-866-996-9463.
Filed under
Trailblazer, Trailblazer Ext
Campaign
NHTSA 04V046000 · Feb 4, 2004
Jul 15, 200303V250000

Equipment: other owners/service/other manual

THIS DOES NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE STANDARD.

DetailsHide details for campaign 03V250000
What's wrong
CERTAIN MINIVANS, PASSENGER AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 225, "CHILD RESTRAINT ANCHORAGE SYSTEM." THE OWNER'S MANUAL DOES NOT EXPLAIN THE MEANING OF THE LOCATION SYMBOLS FOR THE CHILD RESTRAINT LOWER UNIVERSAL ANCHORAGE SYSTEM.
Risk
THIS DOES NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE STANDARD.
Remedy
OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH A SUPPLEMENT FOR THEIR OWNER'S MANUAL. THIS SUPPLEMENT DESCRIBES AND SHOWS THE LOCATION SYMBOLS FOR THE CHILD RESTRAINT ANCHORS THAT ARE LOCATED IN THE VEHICLE AND ON THE CHILD RESTRAINT OR BOOSTER CUSHION. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN AUGUST 18, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080, CADILLAC AT 1-866-982-2339, CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, GMC AT 1-866-996-9463, PONTIAC AT 1-800-620-7668, OR OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-630-6537.
Filed under
Trailblazer
Campaign
NHTSA 03V250000 · Jul 15, 2003
Apr 23, 200303V151000

Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components hoses, lines/piping, and fittings

IF BRAKING PERFORMANCE IS REDUCED, A CRASH COULD OCCUR.

DetailsHide details for campaign 03V151000
What's wrong
CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES WERE BUILT WITH A LEFT-FRONT BRAKE PIPE WITH A CIRCUMFERENTIAL SCORE AT A RANDOM LOCATION ALONG THE LENGTH OF THE PIPE AS THE RESULT OF THE MANUFACTURING PROCESS. IF THE BRAKE PIPE PARTIALLY OR FULLY FRACTURED, BRAKE PEDAL TRAVEL WOULD IMMEDIATELY INCREASE AND FRONT BRAKE PERFORMANCE WOULD BE REDUCED.
Risk
IF BRAKING PERFORMANCE IS REDUCED, A CRASH COULD OCCUR.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE LEFT-FRONT BRAKE PIPE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON MAY 29, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-222-1020, GMC AT 1-800-462-8782, OR OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-442-8006.
Filed under
Trailblazer
Campaign
NHTSA 03V151000 · Apr 23, 2003

Merged from NHTSA model names: Trailblazer Ext, Trailblazer. Not every vehicle of a model year is affected by every campaign.

To see whether a recall is still open on your car, enter the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or the Chevrolet recall lookup. Recall repairs are free at a franchised dealer (federal law; see limits).

Buying a used 2003 Chevrolet Trailblazer? Recalls cover the model; a history report checks one car's title, odometer and accident records. VinAudit history report → Sponsored · disclosure

Owner complaints by component1,266

NHTSA Complaints API · cached ≤24 h
1,266Complaints filed
77Involving a crash
21Involving a fire
81Injuries reported · 2 deaths
ComponentShareComplaints%CrashesFiresInjuries
Electrical system382307141
Fuel system21517012
Gasoline19916012
Power train15312525
Exterior lighting1068130
Visibility917021
Engine and engine cooling847110
Fuel/propulsion system665120
Air bags66550054
Structure655226
Service brakes474613
Suspension474402
Equipment383105
Steering343401
Hydraulic333502

18 more components with fewer complaints not shown. An owner can tag several components, so percentages add up to more than 100. Complaints are unverified owner reports, de-duplicated by NHTSA ODI number, merged from NHTSA model names Trailblazer, Trailblazer EXT.

Latest reports

  • Electrical system

    “Transmission doesn’t have 3rd or 4th gear. Vehicle was smoking under hood. Found out after buying it it has flood damage. Mechanic said there was water in the transmission when inspected.”

    Filed 03/01/2023 · ODI 11509655
  • Power train

    “While driving my Trailblazer in A4WD on slippery road conditions, I went to pulled out of a parking lot and there was a loud sound like my whole front end fell out and the front end completely locked up.”

    Filed 01/12/2022 · ODI 11447243
  • Electrical system

    “Wire harness coating falling apart almost caught my truck on fire got pictures and it triggers the brake light to stay on”

    Filed 03/16/2021 · ODI 11403182

Other Chevrolet Trailblazer model years

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2003 Chevrolet Trailblazer recall questions

How many recalls does the 2003 Chevrolet Trailblazer have?

NHTSA lists 9 safety recall campaigns for the 2003 Chevrolet Trailblazer. The most recent, 05V494000 (reported October 27, 2005), concerns latches/locks/linkages. Not every vehicle is covered by every campaign; check a specific car by VIN.

What are the 2003 Chevrolet Trailblazer recalls for?

The largest group is exterior lighting, with 2 campaigns. Others: air bags (2), latches/locks/linkages (1), visibility (1). Each campaign below lists the defect, the risk and the free remedy.

What is the most common complaint about the 2003 Chevrolet Trailblazer?

Electrical system is the most-reported component, named in 382 complaints out of 1,266 filed with NHTSA (30%). Across all complaints, owners reported 77 crashs and 21 fires. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

How do I check if a recall is open on my 2003 Chevrolet Trailblazer?

Enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or the Chevrolet recall lookup. That shows campaigns still unrepaired on that exact car. Safety recall repairs are free at a franchised Chevrolet dealer.

Check a specific Chevrolet by VIN

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